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The International Clinical Research Center (ICRC) was established in September 2007 to provide the essential framework and coordination to streamline the implementation of multi-center international infectious disease prevention trials. The ICRC is within the University of Washington, Department of Global Health.

What's New

The ASPIRE study found that a vaginal ring that continuously releases an antiretroviral drug safely provided a statistically significant level of protection against HIV infection in women. The large clinical trial was co-led by Jared Baeten, MD, PhD, co-director of ICRC and Vice Chair of the University of Washington Department of Global Health, for the NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN).

The ring, a silicon band that releases an antiretroviral called dapivirine, was tested in South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe among 18- to 45-year-olds. The ASPIRE trial found 27% efficacy overall and by 61% among women ages 25 years and older.

“To help bring about an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, women—especially those in sub-Saharan Africa—need multiple options for HIV prevention,” said Baeten. “The ASPIRE study was an important step towards determining whether the dapivirine ring could become one such option.”